Weary of the rigid codes of the underworld, Tokijiro searches for freedom. But escape proves impossible when a gang boss orders him to kill a man

Weary of the rigid codes of the underworld, gambler Tokijiro (Kinnosuke Nakamura, Goyokin) wanders Japan in search of freedom. But escape proves to be impossible when an obligation to a gang boss leaves him with no choice but to kill a man. To atone for his crime, he vows to take care of his victim's widow and young son. But the gang won't rest until they've killed the entire family - including the man who stands in their way. With this breathtakingly stylised film, Tai Kato broke all the conventions of the yakuza genre, fusing blood-spurting action with melodrama worthy of Japanese cinema's greatest masters.

 

Bonus Materials

• High-Definition digital transfer
• Uncompressed mono PCM audio
• Interview with film critic Koushi Ueno about the film’s place in genre cinema history
• A visual essay on star Kinnosuke Nakamura by Japanese cinema expert Robin Gatto
• New and improved English subtitle translation
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
• Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by scholar Ivo Smits and a newly translated archival review